How to Make Your Own Sports Monopoly

Custom Monopoly boards can be purchased from many retailers. One popular custom Monopoly board theme is sports. However, an expensive sports-themed board may not be customized exactly the way you want. Using graphics programs and a few simple tools, you can create a custom sports-themed Monopoly board for the whole family to enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Photographs of sports figures
• Sculpey clay
• Toothpick
• Thin metal wire
• Cookie sheet
• Wax paper
• Silver paint
• Small paintbrush
• Mat board
• Exacto knife
• Ruler
• Cutting board
• Spray adhesive

Instructions

Getting Started

1. Download a picture of a Monopoly board or Monopoly board template for reference.

2. 

   Open a new document in Illustrator that is 20 in. by 20 in.

3. 

   Paste the downloaded Monopoly board template into the new document and resize it so it fits within the dimensions. Don't worry if it looks pixelated; this is just for reference.

4. 

   Lower the opacity of the board by going to the Transparency palette and changing the object's transparency to 40 percent.

5. Go to Object > Lock > Selection to lock the board in place so you don't accidentally move it while drawing over it.

Drawing

1. 

   Create a new layer by hitting the Create a New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette.

2. 

   Using the Rectangle tool, outline the entire box with a stroke weight of 8 points. Make sure there is no fill and a black outline.

3. 

   Outline one of the property game squares using the Rectangle tool. The stroke weight should be 7.

4. 

   Copy and paste the game square into the appropriate areas on the board.

5. 

   Use the Line Segment tool to create the hotel area in the game square, holding down the Shift key to make a straight line. The stroke weight should also be 7.

6. 

   Select the game square and the line segment by holding down Shift while clicking, then go to Object > Group. This will group the two objects together.

7. 

   Copy and paste the game square into the appropriate areas of the board.

8. 

   Outline all other squares using the Rectangle tool.

9. 

   Click on the eyeball next to the layer with the board template on it to remove it from view.

Coloring

1. Create a new layer and position it underneath the outlines.

2. 

   Fill in the colors in the hotel areas on the game squares. You can choose your favorite team's colors or create opposing team colors on each side.

3. Save your file.

4. Select all of your line work and go to Edit > Copy.

Placing Photographs

1. 

   Open a new document in Photoshop that is 20 in. by 20 in. at 300 pixels per inch with a transparent background in CMYK color mode.

2. Go to Edit > Paste. Click on Pixels. The line work will appear on a new layer in Photoshop.

3. 

   Choose Layer 1, then use the Paint Bucket tool to fill the background with the sports team color of your choice. You can also make the background plain gray or white.

4. Create a new layer in Photoshop and place it between the top and bottom layers.

5. 

   Copy and paste photos of your favorite sports team logos or members in the boxes. Refer to a real Monopoly board to determine what each game space means. Adjust the size and positioning as needed.

Finishing

1. 

   Refer to a real Monopoly board for prices and taxes. Use the Text tool in Photoshop to write this information in.

2. 

   Go to File > Save As > PDF and choose the High Quality Print option. Save the PDF.

3. Get the PDF printed at an office supply store or a printer who can print large-scale images. You can also ask them to cut it.

4. Use an Exacto knife and ruler to cut out a piece of mat board the same size as your game board.

5. Spray the back of the printed board with spray adhesive and attach it to the mat board. Your board is now complete.

Game Pieces

1. Lay wax paper onto a table to protect the surface while sculpting.

2. Knead the Sculpey in your hands until it is soft. Roll into balls.

3. Create custom game pieces such as miniature footballs, baseballs, sneakers, bats or golf clubs. Use a toothpick to create details in the clay and the metal wire for extra support in thin areas.

4. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Lay your pieces at least 1 inch apart on a sheet of wax paper set on the cookie sheet. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes, checking every five minutes.

6. Remove from the oven and let cool.

7. Paint the game pieces silver using a tiny brush and let dry.

Tips & Warnings

• This can be a family or group activity.

References

• Sculpey Official Website
• Blank Monopoly Template

Resources

• Brad Frost Web